New York Jewish Bagel Store Saved By Muslims

Bialys and Bagels, a bagel store in Brooklyn, New York, has been in the Coney Island community for over 90 years. Steven Ross, the owner, decided to give up the store because of the bad economy. But let a real Kosher bagel store die after 90 years? No one wanted to see that happened so the cavalry stormed in to save the shop. The cavalry in this case are Muslim taxi cab drivers, Peerzada Shah and Zafaryab Ali. Before driving cabs the duo worked in the bagel store for about ten years back in the 90s. When they found out that the shop was about to go out of business they bought it. The Coney Island community was thrilled. Not only are the new owners going to keep most of the staff and use the same recipe but they're going to keep the shop's kosher-certified equipment. What could be bad? Absolutely nothing! Brooklyn is keeping their favorite Jewish bagel and bialy store where they can get one with a "shmear" or order a little something to nosh on. Do the Jewish people care that both of the new owners grew up in Pakistan and are now running the shop? Heck, no! As long as the bagels taste the way they should who cares who's making them. Bake on, Peerzada and Zafaryab. New York has to keep making those perfect Jewish bagels to show the rest of the United States what a real bagel tastes like.

Comments: 17

Steven Cetta Nov 5, 2011, 8:33pm UTC

I read this in the paper. I lived here all my life in Brooklyn and I never went there. Well now I will make it my business to go there and get a real bagel.

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Sharon Katz Nov 5, 2011, 8:47pm UTC

I'm in Brooklyn too, very close to Coney Island and I've never been to this store either but I too will be going. It's so "good" bagel place anymore and I love a good bagel.

Thanks for reading the post and maybe I'll see you at the bagel shop. :)

Steven Cetta Nov 6, 2011, 11:07am UTC

Okay Sharon. I will look forward to maybe running into you there.

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Mary Ann Slavcheff Nov 5, 2011, 10:47pm UTC

God does bless us when we cooperate and work together. This is real American story.

Sharon Katz Nov 5, 2011, 10:57pm UTC

I agree Mary Ann. This a beautiful story.

Lynda Ehrich Nov 6, 2011, 12:19am UTC

Yes! If you believe in God, then you believe we all descended from Adam and Eve...which means if we go back far enough, no matter who we are, we're gonna find a common ancestor! It's inevitable! I'm a Coney Island baby, and this is where my mother and grandma got their bagels and bialys. I live in Florida now, and you can't BELIEVE what they put in their bagels! OK, I get the asiago cheese. I get the cheddar/jalapeno blend. I even like the spinach ones. But...CHOCOLATE CHIPS? CINNAMON? Pfeh! If it takes two Muslim cabdrivers to make a good Jewish bagel, so who am I to complain?

Sharon Katz Nov 6, 2011, 9:19am UTC

LOL, Lynda, thanks for the great post. Chocolate chips in a bagel? I don't know about that but I had to admit the spinach ones do sound yummy. But to me, a Brighton Beach/Coney Island baby myself, a real bagle is either plain, sesame, poppy, and maybe garlic. But chocolate chip and cinnamon bagels sounds like dessert.

You would think that Florida would know better with all the New Yorkers there. :)

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Heather - child of God, C. Nov 5, 2011, 11:59pm UTC

Wonderful story! I miss getting a good bagel like I did when I lived in New York. Bravo for these two for keeping the place open!

Sharon Katz Nov 6, 2011, 12:09am UTC

NY bagels are the best! The new owners are terrific. Using the same recipe and making sure that the shop remains Kosher. That says so much to the community and I'm sure they appreciate that the owners care so much about them.

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